Method of manipulating encapsulation of color changing materials

ABSTRACT

Methods of manipulating a color displayed by a transfer medium or substrate comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains, wherein each chain of nanocrystals is encapsulated are described. The method includes (a) applying a magnetic field to the transfer medium or substrate to control the color displayed by the transfer medium or substrate; and (b) applying energy to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals at a level that destroys the encapsulation surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/222,717,filed on Mar. 24, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,701,071, entitled METHOD OFMANIPULATING ENCAPSULATION OF COLOR CHANGING MATERIALS, which isincorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to business methods, footwear, apparel,and machines that incorporate materials that change color in response toa charge applied to one or more layers of material.

BACKGROUND

There have been a number of publications relating to the development ofcolor changing materials. Photonic crystals are peculiar structures thatshow periodic variations in refractive index on a length scalecomparable to the wavelength of light. This periodicity means that, forcertain ranges of energies and wave vectors, light is not allowed topropagate through the medium. Such disallowed groups of wavelengths arecalled photonic band gaps. The coloration thereby imparted to photonicstructures is called structural color, since it is not due to thepresence of a dye or pigment, but rather to the conformation of thematerial itself. Photonic crystals are found in nature, e.g. in beetlescales, butterfly wings and parrot feathers, and can also be fabricatedusing a wide range of techniques.

In recent years, it has been discovered that subjecting a liquidsuspension of iron oxide colloidal nanocrystal clusters (“CNCs”) to amagnetic field causes the CNCs to assemble into periodic arrays thatform a photonic crystal, which diffracts light in the visible spectrum,as well as in the ultraviolet and infrared spectrums. Adjusting thestrength of the magnetic field applied to the CNCs alters the photoniccrystal structure and hence the wavelength (color) of the diffractedlight. In other words, the color displayed by the CNCs may be controlledby altering the strength of a magnetic field applied to a suspensioncontaining the CNCs.

One of the earliest publications describing the development of particlesthat have color-changing attributes is WO2009/017525, which describesdevelopment of superparamagnetic magnetite (Fe₃O₄) CNCs. Polyacrylicacid is used as a surfactant for the strong coordination of carboxylategroups with iron cations on the magnetite surface. WO2009/017525 alsoteaches a method for constructing colloidal photonic crystals out of thepolyacrylate capped superparamagnetic magnetite CNCs. The colloidalphotonic crystals show highly tunable diffractions covering the wholevisible region owing to the highly charged polyacrylate covered surfacesand the strong magnetic responses of the magnetite CNCs. These magnetiteCNCs readily self-assemble into colloidal photonic crystals in polarsolvents (such as water and alkanols) upon application of a magneticfield. The optical responses of the photonic crystals are rapid andfully reversible.

WO2010/096203 teaches a method of assembling superparamagnetic CNCs intocolloidal photonic crystals in nonpolar solvents by establishinglong-range electrostatic repulsive forces on the CNCs using chargecontrol agents. The method includes coating the CNCs with a hydrophobiccoating so that the CNCs are soluble in a nonpolar solvent solution, andadding a surfactant (charge control agent) to the nonpolar solventsolution, wherein the surfactant enhances charge separation between theCNCs to form an ordered structure with tunable particle separation.

WO2012/051258 describes a method of forming photonic crystals thatdiffract light to create color by dispersing solid particles within amagnetic liquid media, and magnetically organizing the solid particleswithin the magnetic liquid media into colloidal photonic crystalstructures. The solid particles are non-magnetic, and the magneticliquid media is magnetic nanoparticle-based ferrofluid, which isprepared by dispersing magnetic nanoparticles of transition metal andmetal oxides in a liquid medium. The ferrofluid may be created in apolar or nonpolar solvent.

WO2013/006207 describes a method of producing multifunctional compositeparticles by direct self-assembly of hydrophobic nanoparticles on hostnanostructures containing high density surface thiol groups. Hydrophobicnanoparticles of various compositions and combinations can be directlyassembled onto the host surface through the strong coordinationinteractions between metal cations and thiol groups. The resultingstructures can be further overcoated with a layer of normal silica tostabilize the assemblies and render them highly dispersible in water.

WO2010/120361 teaches a method wherein CNCs are coated in shells ofother suitable mediums, such as silica, titania (titanium oxide), and/orpolymers such as polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate, in which thecoating provides a means to obtain good dispersibility and promotesolvation repulsion in a photocurable solution or resin. The coated CNCsare then dispersed in the photocurable solution or resin, after whichthe photocurable solution or resin containing the CNCs is placed in animmiscible solution (such as an oil) to form an emulsion. The emulsionis exposed to an external magnetic field to align the coated CNCs inone-dimensional chains within emulsion droplets within the photocurablesolution or resin, and the emulsion droplets are cured within thephotocurable solution or resin into magnetochromatic microspheres sothat the color displayed by the CNCs is fixed when the magnetic field isremoved. The magnetochromatic composition may be used for a colordisplay, signage, bio and chemical detection and/or magnetic fieldsensing.

WO2013/112224 teaches a method of stabilizing electromagneticallycharged particles, which includes coating electromagnetically chargedparticles with a protective layer and etching the protective layer withsilica to produce a porous protective layer.

WO2012/122216 describes a method of fabricating individually fixednanochains with a magnetically responsive photonic property, whereinCNCs are coated with a layer of silica, a magnetic field is applied tothe CNCs to assemble the CNCs into photonic chains, and the photonicchains are then overcoated with an additional layer of silica. Theparticle chains are then permanently fixed by the silica overcoating sothat they remain stable when dispersed in solution or dried on solidsubstrates.

WO2012/023991 describes a device for tuning bistable materials, such asa polymer or other media/medium containing CNCs. In certain embodiments,the tuning device transfers energy to the CNCs, which in turn locallysoftens or melts the thermally reversible polymer immediatelysurrounding each CNC, thus allowing the CNCs to reorient locally withinthe polymer when a magnetic field is applied for tuning of the colordisplayed by the bistable material. In other embodiments, an ionizingradiation (IR) device may be used in place of heat.

WO2011/126575 describes a color changeable artificial nail, in which thenail is formed of a bistable material, such as a cholsteric liquidcrystal layer, that is adapted to change color in response to theapplication of an electrical charge.

While these publications describe how to form colloidal photoniccrystals from CNCs suspended in polar and nonpolar liquid solvents, howto magnetically organize non-magnetic solid particles within aferrofluid containing CNCs, how to incorporate CNCs onto a host surface,how to permanently fix the color displayed by the CNCs in a UV curableresin or by application of a silica overcoating, as well as how toreversibly fix the color displayed by the CNCs in a bistable medium,there still remains a need for a method of incorporating CNCs into orapplying CNCs to materials for use in the manufacture of apparel,footwear, sports equipment, and accessories, and fixing the colordisplayed by the CNCs (reversibly or permanently) so that the color doesnot change when the magnetic field is removed.

Furthermore, there are limitations in the current technologies availablefor manufacturing articles with details of a different color than thebackground. For example, two-tone colors in fabrics are typicallyaccomplished through either sublimation of the color pattern onto asubstrate or woven into the base fabric with two different coloredyarns. While sublimation may produce vivid colors, it is difficult toreproduce sharp lines with this process when the details are less than 3mm in thickness, such as the thickness of the chevrons in the jerseyshown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Thus, there is a further need to develop animproved process for manufacturing articles with details of a differentcolor than the background.

SUMMARY

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “thepresent invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly toall of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below.Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit thesubject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of thepatent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patentare defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is ahigh-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introducessome of the concepts that are further described in the DetailedDescription section below. This summary is not intended to identify keyor essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intendedto be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. The subject matter should be understood by reference toappropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any orall drawings and each claim.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method ofmanipulating a color displayed by a transfer medium or substratecomprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains,wherein each chain of nanocrystals is encapsulated, the method comprises(a) applying a magnetic field to the transfer medium or substrate tocontrol the color displayed by the transfer medium or substrate; and (b)applying energy to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals at alevel that destroys the encapsulation surrounding the chains ofnanocrystals to which the energy is applied.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises applying the energy toat least some of the chains of nanocrystals to soften the transfermedium or substrate immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystalsto which the energy is applied prior to applying the energy to at leastsome of the chains of nanocrystals at the level that destroys theencapsulation surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energyis applied.

In certain embodiments, the color displayed by the transfer medium orsubstrate is manipulated prior to application to an article of wear. Inother embodiments, the color displayed by the transfer medium orsubstrate is manipulated after application to an article of wear.

According to additional embodiments of the present invention, a methodof manipulating a color displayed by an article of wear comprising ironoxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains, wherein each chainof nanocrystals is encapsulated, the method comprises (a) forming thearticle of wear from at least one raw material, wherein the at least oneraw material comprises the chains of nanocrystals; (b) applying amagnetic field to the at least one raw material; (c) applying energy toat least some of the chains of nanocrystals to soften materials withinthe at least one raw material immediately surrounding the chains ofnanocrystals to which the energy is applied; (d) adjusting a strength ofthe magnetic field to control the color displayed by the at least oneraw material; and (e) applying additional energy to at least some of thechains of nanocrystals at a level that destroys the encapsulationsurrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied.

In certain embodiments, the color displayed by the at least one rawmaterial is manipulated prior to forming the article of wear. In otherembodiments, the color displayed by the transfer medium or substrate ismanipulated while forming the article of wear.

In some embodiments, the color displayed by the transfer medium orsubstrate is manipulated after forming the article of wear.

The method may further comprise unrolling the at least one raw materialproximate a first end of a platform, wherein the platform comprises asubstantially flat surface and a gap therein; positioning an unrolledportion of the at least one raw material adjacent the surface of theplatform and the gap therein; re-rolling the at least one raw materialproximate a second end of the platform. In some embodiments, the energyand the magnetic field are applied to a portion of the at least one rawmaterial positioned proximate the gap. The at least one raw material maycomprise a yarn or thread, and the method further comprises applying theenergy and the magnetic field to the at least one raw material as the atleast one raw material is being fed into a weaving loom or knittingmachine.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method ofmanipulating a color displayed by a plurality of articles of wear, eacharticle of wear comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arrangedwithin chains, wherein each chain of nanocrystals is encapsulated, themethod comprises (a) applying a magnetic field to the plurality ofarticles of wear; (b) applying energy to at least some of the chains ofnanocrystals to soften materials within the plurality of articles ofwear immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which theenergy is applied; (c) adjusting a strength of the magnetic field tocontrol the color displayed by the plurality of articles of wear; and(d) applying additional energy to at least some of the chains ofnanocrystals at a level that destroys the encapsulation surrounding thechains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied.

The method may further comprise inserting the plurality of articles ofwear within a central opening of an activation tunnel; and applying themagnetic field via a plurality of solenoids substantially surroundingthe activation tunnel. The method may still further comprise insertingthe plurality of articles of wear within a drum of an industrial dryer.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method ofmanipulating a color displayed by an article of wear comprising ironoxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains, wherein each chainof nanocrystals is encapsulated, the method comprises (a) applying amagnetic field to the article of wear; (b) applying energy to at leastsome of the chains of nanocrystals to soften materials within thearticle of wear immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals towhich the energy is applied; (c) adjusting a strength of the magneticfield to control the color displayed by the article of wear; and (d)applying additional energy to at least some of the chains ofnanocrystals at a level that destroys the encapsulation surrounding thechains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied.

The method may further comprises placing the article of wear on aplatform, wherein the magnetic field is concentrated and orientedperpendicular to the platform; and applying the energy via a lasercontrolled by a numerical control device. The method may still furthercomprise placing the article of wear on a metal shoe last, wherein themagnetic field is concentrated and oriented perpendicular to a surfaceof the metal shoe last.

In some embodiments, the article of wear comprises a first layercomprising the chains of nanocrystals and at least one additional layerthat does not comprise the chains of nanocrystals, further comprisingapplying the energy via a 95 GHz radiation beam that penetrates thefirst layer without penetrating the at least one additional layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, embodiments of the invention aredescribed referring to the following figures:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are a front partial view of a jersey and a close-upshowing certain sharp lines in the jersey design.

FIG. 2 is an image of a microinjected silicon patch with areas ofmultiple colors.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a tuning device with a batch platform design,according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a magnetic flux diagram showing the magnetic field generatedaround the tuning device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5A-5B are front and side views of a tuning device with a batchplatform design with a different coil design, according to certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tuning device with a batch platformdesign with a different coil design, according to certain embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a tuning device with a metal shoe last design,according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a tuning device with a continuous platformdesign, according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tuning device of FIG. 8 with aportion of a textile positioned therein.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tuning device of FIG. 8 in aroll-to-roll application.

FIG. 11 is a magnetic flux diagram showing the magnetic field generatedaround the tuning device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the uniformity of the magnetic field acrossthe gap of the tuning device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a magnetic flux diagram showing the magnetic field generatedaround the tuning device of FIG. 8 with a greater distance between theplatform and the prong.

FIG. 14 is a magnetic flux diagram showing the magnetic field generatedaround the tuning device of FIG. 8 with a smaller distance between theplatform and the prong.

FIG. 15 is a front view of a tuning device with a drum design, accordingto certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a tuning device with a tunnel design,according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a tuning device with an extruder coildesign, according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a front view of a tuning device with a pulsatingelectromagnet design or a tuning device with a focused microwaveactivation design, according to certain embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are perspective views of a stylus for customizingarticles of wear, according to certain embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C are front view and top views of a tuning deviceconfigured to provide a uniform magnetic field over a larger surfacearea, according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a tuning device configured to provide auniform magnetic field over a larger surface area, according to certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a simplified block diagram of aspects of a retail systemnetwork, according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example user interface, according to certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 24 illustrates another example user interface, according to certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating a method formanipulating a color displayed by an article of wear on the retailsystem of FIG. 22 based on performance achievements, according tocertain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating a method formanipulating a color displayed by an article of wear on the retailsystem of FIG. 22 based on customization preferences, according tocertain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram of a computer apparatus, according to certainembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is describedhere with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but thisdescription is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of theclaims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, mayinclude different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction withother existing or future technologies. This description should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among orbetween various steps or elements except when the order of individualsteps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

According to certain embodiments, the present invention comprises amethod of tuning the color displayed by magnetite or iron oxidecolloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains and incorporated within orattached to materials 10 for use in the manufacture of apparel,footwear, sports equipment, and accessories (“articles of wear 12”)through application of a magnetic field, and fixing the color(reversibly or permanently) so that the color does not change when themagnetic field is removed.

In other embodiments, the nanocrystal chains may be incorporated withinor otherwise directly combined with films, laminates, yarns, threads,fabrics, leathers, plastics, foams (EVA, TPU), etc. that form thematerials 10 and/or the article of wear 12, without the need for atransfer medium. For example, the nanocrystal chains may be embeddedwithin the polyurethane (“PU”) topcoat of a PU coated leather and/or aPU synthetic leather.

In these embodiments, if the material 10 or article of wear 12 (such asfilms, laminates, yarns, threads, or similar solid materials) haveproperties that allow for localized softening or melting in areasimmediately surrounding chains of nanocrystals, while maintaining theoverall solid state of the material 10 or article of wear 12, thematerial 10 and/or the article of wear 12 may be initially manufacturedin the absence of a magnetic field so that the color displayed by thenanocrystal chains in the material 10 and/or the article of wear 12 isthe inherent color of the magnetite or iron oxide nanocrystals (a rustcolor). To adjust the color after manufacture through application of atuning device 110 (as described in more detail below in the sectiondescribing “Machine Concepts”), the material 10 and/or the article ofwear 12 is located within or adjacent the tuning device 110, an energysource 14 is applied to transfer energy to the nanocrystals withinchains and embedded within the material 10 and/or the article of wear12, which in turn locally softens or melts portions of the material 10and/or the article of wear 12 immediately surrounding each chain ofnanocrystals, which allows the nanocrystals within the chains toreorient locally within the material 10 and/or the article of wear 12when a magnetic field is simultaneously applied by a magnetic fieldsource 16 of the tuning device 110 to adjust the color displayed by thenanocrystal chains. The energy source 14 is then removed by the tuningdevice 110, which allows the material 10 and/or the article of wear 12to harden or set, thus fixing the nanocrystals within chains in the newlocations and thus fixing the color displayed by the chains ofnanocrystals. In other embodiments, the magnetic field may be applied asthe substrate is being applied to the material 10 and/or the article ofwear 12 (if the material 10 and/or the article of wear 12 is suitablysoftened or melted to allow movement of the nanocrystals within thechains, while also being able to harden or set sufficiently quickly tofix the nanocrystals in place within the chains before the magneticfield is removed).

In other embodiments, where the nanocrystal chains cannot beincorporated into the material 10 and/or the article of wear 12directly, the nanocrystal chains may be contained within a covering 18that is adhered, welded, stitched, woven, knitted, or injected orotherwise applied with any other suitable means to the material 10and/or the article of wear 12. For example, in certain embodiments, thecovering 18 may be a topcoat, finish, or other coating material, or maybe a fabric or other woven or non-woven material. In these embodiments,if the covering 18 has properties that allow for localized softening ormelting in areas immediately surrounding the nanocrystal chains, thenthe material 10 and/or the article of wear 12 may be manufactured in theabsence of a magnetic field so that the color displayed by thenanocrystal chains in the material 10 and/or the article of wear 12 isthe inherent color of the magnetite or iron oxide nanocrystals (a rustcolor), and the color may be subsequently adjusted after manufacturethrough application of the tuning device 110, as described above andmore detail below.

In other embodiments, the magnetic field may be applied as the covering18 is being applied to the material 10 and/or the article of wear 12.For example, during application of the magnetic field, the covering 18is suitably softened or melted to allow movement of the nanocrystalswithin the chains, while also being able to harden or set sufficientlyquickly to fix the nanocrystals in place within the chains before themagnetic field is removed. In other examples, a rapidly fluctuatingmagnetic field is applied, which creates transient currents in thenanocrystal chains. The transient currents may lead to the softening ormelting of the surrounding substrate. Once the softening or melting hasbeen achieved, the magnetic field is then switched to a constant(non-fluctuating) field. In this embodiment, the magnetic field could beused as both an energy source and a particle spacer.

In some embodiments, the nanocrystal chains may be incorporated into atransfer medium 20, such as paint (spray or otherwise), dye, ink, film,gel, silicon, powder, or any other suitable medium that isconventionally used to transfer color to an object. In theseembodiments, the chains of nanocrystals may remain in a dynamic state,i.e., the color displayed by the chains of nanocrystals is either theinherent color of the magnetite or iron oxide nanocrystals (a rustcolor) or the color displayed by the nanocrystal chains is adjustable byapplying a magnetic field to the transfer medium 20, particularly in thecase where the transfer medium 20 is in a liquid state. The transfermedium 20 is then applied to the materials 10. In certain embodiments,the transfer medium 20 is then cured to retain the activated color.

In embodiments where the nanocrystal chains are incorporated into aliquid or powder transfer medium 20, the transfer medium may be appliedto the materials 10 via any suitable conventional method including butnot limited to silk screening, painting, powder coating, submersion,injection, and sublimation. Such methods may be used to apply thetransfer medium 20 to materials 10 such as yarns, threads, textiles,plastics, foams, leathers, etc.

Once the transfer medium 20 is dry, the tuning device 110 (as describedin more detail below in the section describing “Machine Concepts”) maybe applied to achieve the desired color in the materials 10 and/or thearticle of wear 12. In these embodiments, the tuning device 110comprises the energy source 14 (such as heat, UV radiation, or otherradiation targeted at the nanocrystal chains) and the magnetic fieldsource 16. When the materials 10 and/or the article of wear 12 arelocated within or adjacent the tuning device 110, the energy source 14is applied to the nanocrystal chains within the transfer medium 20,which in turn locally softens or melts portions of the transfer medium20 immediately surrounding the nanocrystal chains, which allows thenanocrystals to reorient locally within the chains and within thetransfer medium 20 when a magnetic field is simultaneously applied toadjust the color displayed by the nanocrystal chains. The energy source14 is then removed, which allows the transfer medium 20 to harden orset, thus fixing the nanocrystals in the new locations within the chainswhen the magnetic field is removed.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, microinjected silicon patches 10include areas of multiple colors, wherein each color is traditionallyseparately added to the decoration manually by injecting the siliconinto a mold with a syringe. This is a labor intensive process that maybe streamlined with silicon doped with nanocrystal chains. By injectinga single nanocrystal doped silicon, time is saved in the applicationstage and the intricate colors can be set in post processing, using anyof the various techniques described above and in more detail below. Thisalso reduces the various color stock of silicon that must be stored andalso the number of syringes that would otherwise be needed wheninjecting multiple colors.

In certain embodiments, the process of rubber vulcanization requiresheating and pressing rubber into a steel tool. Different colors areachieved by placing different colored rubbers into the steel tool andremoving the excesses by scraping a “color dam” that separates adjacentareas. This is a long and expensive process because the rubbers needs tobe prepared in several colors, pre-cut to shape and weight to fit thedifferent colored areas of the steel tool, placed into the very hotsteel tool, and scraped/cleaned to prevent bleeding of the colors. Usingonly one color of rubber, and then manipulating the color of the rubberduring or after vulcanization using any of the various techniquesdescribed above and in more detail below, saves time and money.

In certain embodiments, the steel tools are magnetized with differentgauss values based on the correlated magnetics properties, which createsdifferent colors of rubber during the vulcanization process. The conceptembodies the interaction of magnetic structures, each made up ofgeometric patterns of magnetic elements imprinted into the magnetsurface. These magnetic structures feature designs of magnetic elementsvarying in polarity, field strength, size, shape, location, and dipoleorientation.

In these embodiments, the rubber is created in one color and comprisesthe chains of nanocrystals in a dynamic state. The rubber is placed inthe steel tool irrelevant of the colored areas. The magnetized state ofthe steel tool causes the nanocrystal chains to shift within the chainsdisplay a particular color related to the strength of the magneticfield, and the vulcanization process fixes the nanocrystals in the newlocation within the chains.

In other embodiments, the color displayed by the nanocrystal chains maybe permanently fixed within the transfer medium 20 or covering 18 priorto applying the transfer medium 20 or covering 18 to the material 10and/or the article of wear 12. In these embodiments, the transfer medium20 or covering 18 may be simultaneously exposed to a magnetic field andenergy. In some embodiments, the energy is applied to at least some ofthe chains of nanocrystals to soften the transfer medium or substrateimmediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energyis applied, although this softening step may not be required for certaintypes of materials used to form the transfer medium or substrate.

Once the strength of the magnetic field is adjusted to achieve thedesired color displayed by the transfer medium 20 or covering 18, theenergy source is applied at a level that destroys the coating orencapsulation surrounding the nanocrystal chains, which eliminates theability of the nanocrystals to adjust position within the chains andwithin the transfer medium or substrate when a magnetic field isapplied. As a result, the nanocrystal chains are locked into a permanentcolor prior to application to the material 10 and/or the article of wear12.

This option eliminates the ability to further adjust the color displayedby the nanocrystal chains once they are applied to the material 10and/or the article of wear 12, but provides an alternative totraditional pigments used in dyes, paints or other chemically-drivenmethods to alter color. The same process of permanently fixing the colordisplayed by the nanocrystal chains within the transfer medium orsubstrate could also occur after application to the material 10 and/orthe article of wear 12.

Machine Concepts

Batch Platform Design

As illustrated in FIG. 3, certain embodiments of the tuning device 110comprise a magnetic field source 16 and/or an energy source 14. In thesimplest of these embodiments, the tuning device 110 comprises a set ofcoils 22 that produce a magnetic field. The coils 22 are arranged sothat the magnetic field is concentrated and oriented perpendicular to aplatform 24. FIG. 4 is a magnetic flux diagram showing the magneticfield generated around the platform 24. For example, in FIG. 3, thecoils 22 are arranged so that a longitudinal axis of the coils 22 isperpendicular to a surface 26 of the platform 24. In other embodiments,as shown in FIGS. 5A-5B and 6, the coils 22 are arranged so that alongitudinal axis of the coils 22 is parallel with the surface 26 of theplatform 24. A person of ordinary skill in the relevant art willunderstand that any suitable arrangement of coils 22 may be used inconjunction with the platform 24 that produces the desired magneticfield application.

A material 10 and/or the article of wear 12 containing nanocrystalchains may be placed on the platform 24 so that the magnetic fieldcauses the nanocrystals to shift within the chains display a particularcolor related to the strength of the magnetic field. In certainembodiments, the tuning device 110 may be coupled with the energy source14 in order to create a small uniform magnetic field to make small andintricate changes to an article. This type of device may be applicablefor a treatment of an individual finished good in a retail environment,such as to provide a particular customer with a customized item.

For example, the embodiments of the tuning device 110 described abovemay be coupled to a convection heat source 14 to manipulate the colordisplayed by a shoe 28, where only stripes 30 or other small features ofthe shoe 28 include chains of nanocrystals. As a result, the stripe 30color may be altered in a small tuning device 110 without affecting anyproperties of the remaining shoe material.

Alternatively, the embodiments of the tuning device 110 described abovemay be useful for embellishing details like a signature or logo onarticles of wear 12 when coupled with a directionally controlled laser,such as the version described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,274. Such lasersare often fixed, but the light output is manipulated and aimed by agimbal mounted mirror or other optics. With the laser output controlledby a numerical control device, the magnetic field may be sufficientlyuniform to achieve a single desired color or it may be varied to achievea variety of color effects from a rainbow to a random effect.

In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, a metal shoe last 34, whichis a foot-shaped form used by shoemakers to shape shoes as they arebeing made, may be used as a receiving antenna in place of the platform24. In these embodiments, the magnetic field is substantially uniformover a surface 36 of the metal shoe last 34 and, since the metal shoelast 34 is shoe-shaped, the magnetic field is therefore substantiallyuniform over a surface of a shoe placed thereon. The metal shoe last 34may also be made into a magnetic coil.

In yet other embodiments, as best illustrated in FIGS. 20A-20C and 21,the tuning device 110 comprises a platform 24 that is applicable tobatch treatment of substantially flat materials 10 and/or articles ofwear 12 that have a larger surface area than what is typically treatedwith the tuning device 110 design shown in FIG. 3. In these embodiments,the platform 24 comprises the substantially flat surface 26, which mayhave dimensions of approximately 9 inches by 6 inches (such as the sizeof A5 format paper), but may also have any size suitable for batchprocessing of substantially flat items. In these embodiments, a gap 90between the surface 26 of the platform 24 and an upper surface 84 may bein the range of 1 inch to 2 inches, but any suitable gap may be used.

In these embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 20A-20C and 21, the tuningdevice 110 may comprise a four coil 22 design (as shown in FIG. 20B) ora two coil design (as shown in FIG. 20C) that provide a uniform magneticfield that is concentrated and oriented perpendicular to the surface ofthe platform 24. A person of ordinary skill in the relevant art willunderstand that any suitable arrangement of coils 22 may be used inconjunction with the platform 24 that produces the desired magneticfield application across the surface of the platform 24. Furthermore, anadditional lateral spacing 86 may be included between the coils 22 andthe upper surface 84/platform 24 to reduce interference created by theproximity of the platform 24 (and the upper surface 84) to the coils 22.

Continuous Platform Design

Additional embodiments of the tuning device 110 are shown in FIGS. 8-10.In these embodiments, the tuning device 110 comprises a platform designthat would be applicable for continuous treatment of substantially flatmaterials and articles, such as in a roll-to-roll treatment of a textileto set the color prior to manufacture of the article of wear 12 at afactory level. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8-10, the tuning device110 comprises a platform 38 having a gap 40 of approximately 0.5 inchesin width, and approximately 8.5 inches in length, but may be configuredto have a length of up to at least 60 inches. The platform 38 comprisesa substantially flat surface 42 having the gap 40 therein, wherein theplatform 38 is configured so that at least a portion of the material 10and/or the article of wear 12 is positioned adjacent the surface 42 ofthe platform 38 and the gap 40 therein.

An arrangement of prongs 44 and coils 46 are positioned below the gap 40so as to induce a magnetic field, wherein at least a portion of themagnetic field passes through the gap 40 and is oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the surface of the platform 38 in the region of the gap40 (as shown in the magnetic flux images shown in FIGS. 11 and 13-14)and therefore is also substantially perpendicular to the portion of thearticle of wear 12 positioned proximate the gap 40. In certainembodiments, the design may generate almost 2,000 gauss, wherein theamount of current is directly proportional to the gap and the dimensionbetween the plates (antennas). For example, 1 inch gap will require 1/10of the current of a 10 inch gap. An energy source, such as a UV lasermay be positioned above the gap and directed to apply UV radiation tomaterial that is positioned proximate the gap. In other embodiments, afocused UV lamp that shoots through the gap may be used.

Thus, in these embodiments and as illustrated in FIG. 10, a roll oftextile 48 containing dynamic nanocrystal chains may be unrolledproximate a first end 50 of the platform 38 so that an unrolled portion52 is positioned adjacent the surface 42 of the platform 38 and the gap40 therein. The magnetic field of the tuning device 110 is set to tunethe color displayed by the nanocrystal chains to the desired amount, andthe energy source 14 provides sufficient energy to soften portions ofthe textile 48 (specifically the fibers within the textile 48 or eventhe encapsulation inside the fibers) immediately surrounding the chainsof nanocrystals to allow localized movement of the nanocrystals withinthe chains to the desired location set by the magnetic field (or todestroy the encapsulation of the nanocrystal chains), and the portionsof the textile 48 subsequently harden or set sufficient quickly to fixthe location of the nanocrystals within the chains and thereby fixingthe color of the textile 48. The textile 48 is then re-rolled proximatea second end 54 of the platform 38 after passing through the tuningdevice 110. While this example describes the use of these embodimentswith roll-to-roll applications, a person of ordinary skill in therelevant art will understand that this is but a few examples of ways inwhich such a design may be used to tune color in materials and articlescontaining nanocrystal chains in either a continuous or batch process.

Drum Design

Additional embodiments of the tuning device 110 are shown in FIG. 15. Inthese embodiments, the tuning device 110 comprises a cylindrical drumdesign, wherein the magnetic field source 16 is incorporated into a drum56 of a machine 58 similar to an industrial dryer. In other words, themachine 58 may be a radiation generating revolving drum machine 58. Theenergy from the machine 58 would provide sufficient energy to allowlocalized movement of the nanocrystal chains to the desired location setby the magnetic field, and the material 10 will subsequently harden orset within the machine 58 while the magnetic field is still applied tofix the location of the nanocrystals within the chains.

Thus, in these embodiments, finished goods (such as articles of wear 12)that have been manufactured with dynamic nanocrystal chains (or withreversibly fixed nanocrystal chains for which the color now requiresmodification) may be placed within these embodiments of the tuningdevice 110, the magnetic field setting adjusted to provide the desiredcolor by the nanocrystal chains, and the energy provided by the machine58 set to allow for manipulation of the nanocrystal locations withinchains. These embodiments may be particularly useful at distributioncenters, wherein the techniques may also involve application of energysources from heat, UV, and/or microwave radiation.

The advantage of these embodiments is that it is capable of colorshifting a batch of articles at once and with great uniformity. It alsohas the advantage of achieving uniform temperature distribution withsimple and known techniques. For example, a 95 GHz radiation beam(similar to the device used in Active Denial Systems by the military)may be used to soften or melt a first layer containing the nanocrystalchains, without penetrating at least one additional layer, such as afabric and/or PU layer. At this frequency (>90 GHz), the radiationpenetration depth is less than 1/64 inch, as opposed to 0.5-3 inches formicrowave and IR heaters. Alternatively, it is also possible to achieverandom effects by varying the magnetic field while the articles of wear12 are tumbled in order to achieve an effect that would be somethinglike a tie-dye t-shirt.

Tunnel or Solenoid Design

Additional embodiments of the tuning device 110 are shown in FIG. 16. Inthese embodiments, the tuning device 110 comprises a solenoid design foran activation tunnel 60, wherein solenoids 62 are longcylindrically-shaped coils, such that a plurality of solenoids 62 arepositioned substantially surrounding the activation tunnel 60. Theactivation tunnel 60 comprises a central opening 64 that is configuredso that the material 10 and/or the article of wear 12 is located withinthe activation tunnel 60. With a sufficiently large solenoid 62, aconstant EM field may be generated inside the activation tunnel 60, andmay influence larger objects of batches of articles of wear 12 putinside the activation tunnel 60 and may be conveyed through theactivation tunnel 60 with a conveyor 88. These embodiments are alsoprovided with the energy source 14, which would provide sufficientenergy to allow localized movement of the nanocrystals within the chainsto the desired location set by the magnetic field, after which thematerial 10 and/or the article of wear 12 will subsequently harden orset while the magnetic field is still applied to fix the location of thenanocrystals within the chains. These embodiments may have an overallsize of a standard cloth dryer, but may be larger or smaller as neededdepending upon the exact application and use.

Thus, in these embodiments, finished articles of wear 12 that have beenmanufactured with dynamic nanocrystal chains (or with reversibly fixednanocrystal chains for which the color now requires modification) may beplaced within these embodiments of the tuning device 110, the magneticfield setting is adjusted to provide the desired color by thenanocrystal chains, and the energy provided by the energy source is setto allow for manipulation of the nanocrystal locations. Theseembodiments may be particularly useful at distribution centers, whereinthe techniques may involve application of energy sources from heat, UV,and/or radar.

Extruder Coils

Additional embodiments of the tuning device 110 are shown in FIG. 17. Inthese embodiments, the tuning device 110 comprises one or more smallenergy sources 14 (such as a small heater or UV lamp or laser) and oneor more magnetic field sources 16 (such as one or more small magnets)positioned between an extruder 66 and a textile producing machine 70(such as a weaving loom and/or a knitting machine and/or a roll offinished materials 10) to manipulate the color displayed by nanocrystalchains embedded within the yarn or threads as the threads or yarns arefed into the machines 70, and may be particularly applicable at thefactory level.

These embodiments have the additional advantage that knitting andweaving processes would require fewer layers or changes in thread toachieve a pattern or effect in the output fabric. For example, if thefabric had a striped pattern, the machine 70 could simply pull a singleyarn or thread and manipulate the color as the fabric is woven. Thisreduces the need to pull several different color yarns and also reducesthe need to join yarn where the color changes.

Focused Microwave Activation

Additional embodiments of the tuning device 110 are shown in FIG. 18. Inthese embodiments, the tuning device 110 comprises focused microwaveactivation, in which a different type of emitting antenna 72 would senda focalized beam of microwaves on the material area that is beingtreated. The concept is similar to using a spotlight instead of afloodlight (as in a conventional microwave oven design). Becausedirectionality of the radiation (and ease of control) in the microwavedomain is typically proportional to the frequency (i.e., the higher thefrequency, the easier it is to manipulate the beam), a 95 GHz radiationbeam (similar to the device used in Active Denial Systems by themilitary) may be used to provide the focalized beam of microwaves on thematerial area that is being treated. As described above, at thisfrequency (>90 GHz), the radiation penetration depth is less than 1/64inch.

This type of device may be applicable for a treatment of an individualarticle of wear 12 in a retail environment, such as to provide aparticular customer with a customized item. In a larger version, thistype of device may also be applicable at the distribution center level.

Pulsating Electromagnets

Additional embodiments of the tuning device 110 are shown in FIG. 18. Inthese embodiments, the tuning device 110 comprises pulsatingelectromagnets 74 (high power, short burst), which create EM fields fora short time (just for the amount of time needed for the CNC activation)so that lighter duty equipment may be a possibility. Conventionally,large EM fields created for longer durations require substantial energyand more complex machinery.

For example, as described above, a rapidly fluctuating magnetic fieldmay be applied, which creates transient currents in the chains ofnanocrystals. The transient currents may lead to the softening ormelting of the surrounding substrate. Once the softening or melting hasbeen achieved, the magnetic field may then switch to a constant(non-fluctuating) field. In this embodiment, the magnetic field could beused as both an energy source 14 (in fluctuating mode) and a magneticfield source 16 (in constant mode).

Manufacturing Advantages

Incorporation of nanocrystal chains directly into materials used toproduce apparel, footwear, sports equipment, etc. provides an ability toembellish goods with intricate patterns in post processing, while takingadvantage of scale to mass produce raw templates. As shown in FIGS. 1Aand 1B, certain jerseys having a two-tone coloration are conventionallymanufactured through either sublimation of the color pattern onto thesubstrate or woven into the base fabric with two different color yarns.By incorporating a very accurate tuning device into the material itself,factories can reduce complexity by turning out goods in all one colorand stock number. For instance, a certain brand of shoe may be producedin a single color and then other colors may be added to them aftermanufacture to suit the needs of a particular market, wholesaler, orconsumer. This approach would have the added benefit of reducing thestock of multiple color materials that a factory would need to carry.

The ability to remove color from the initial production considerations,and have it as an adjustable feature downstream of the initialmanufacturing process opens the possibility of moving thelabor-intensive production from the factories to the distributioncenters or even at retail. Currently, consumers pay a premium tocustomize an article of wear 12 by completing an order online afterviewing a virtual model and then waiting many weeks for the product tobe produced and then shipped. This approach can save labor from customstitching and custom processing and instead take a mass produced blankand customize it in real-time.

There are also limitations in current technology that are overcome withthis invention. For example, sublimation can produce vivid colors butsuffers from problems reproducing sharp lines when those details areless than 3 mm in thickness, such as the chevrons shown in the jersey 12of FIGS. 1A and 1B. As this technology can be manipulated in very fineincrements, the ability to produce sharp lines in minute detail will beless of an issue.

One of the other inherent benefits of this technology is the nanocrystalchains give off a very luminescent and bright color. This has thepotential to increase visibility of players or other wearers in lowlight situations. It also might be used to help draw attention to movingobjects such as a ball or puck in flight or also a receiver's hands fora quarterback looking downfield.

Footwear Applications

For footwear, there are numerous potential applications and combinationsof applications of the nanocrystal technology. For example, thenanocrystal technology may be employed to temporarily or permanentlyembellish graphics onto a shoe 28 or color specific regions or “colorzones” 78 of a shoe. In some embodiments, only the color zones 78 of theshoe 28 may be embedded with the nanocrystal chains. In otherembodiments, the entire shoe 28 may be embedded with the nanocrystalchains. For example, a high volume shoe 28 might be manufactured withblack or white dyed leather, as the majority of shoes already are, butcertain designs on the shoe 28 and/or other structural features such asa heel tab 80 might have the technology embedded to be later modified.

There are many different materials specifically manufactured forfootwear and for which this technology may be optimized. For example,the nanocrystal technology may be incorporated into PU synthetic leather(wet and dry process), PU coated leather (dry process), textile fibers,films for in-mold decoration (injection), TPU compound and weld-ablefoils, PU paints to spay components, and welded films and heat transfertype of applications. These nanocrystal applications may also berelevant to apparel, equipment, and accessories.

In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, a special stylus 82may be used, which has the ability to alter the color of the shoe 28. Inthis example, the stylus (or pen) 82 may be used in combination with thetuning device 110 described above or it might also have its own magneticfield source 16 (such as with a metal shoe last 34) and energy source 14(such as a UV laser pen within the stylus 82) included in order tocustomize the shoe 28. In certain embodiments, different styluses 82 mayhave different magnetic forces that produce different colors on the shoe28. The stylus 82 would allow the consumer to write on an article ofwear 12 and later change it. For example a high-school kid could havetheir friends “autograph” their senior T-shirt, but then later “erase”those names if desired.

In yet other embodiments, the nanocrystal particles may be embedded inmaterials 10 having different melting points to simplify themodification process. For example, on the shoe 28, one stripe 30A couldbe created in a 60° C. medium, a second stripe 30B could be created in a80° C. medium, and a third stripe 30C could be created in a 100° C.medium to allow for modification of specific areas at differenttemperatures. This design would allow the shoe 28 to be heated to 100°C. and exposed to a magnetic field tuned to the desired color for thefirst stripe 30A, followed by cooling down to 80° C. and exposure to amagnetic field tuned the desired color for the second stripe 30B,followed by cooling down to 60° C. and exposure to a magnetic fieldtuned to the desired color for the third stripe 30C. These temperaturesare merely provided as an example, and any suitable materials havingthese or other differentiated melting points may be used that havesufficient differences to avoid disturbing the previously set colors ofthe other regions. However, a person of ordinary skill would understandthat it would be desirable to use materials have a melting point aboutat least 50° C. for articles that may be placed in conditions that reachtemperatures approaching 50° C., such as an enclosed car that is left inthe sun for an extended period of time, so as to avoid an unintentionalloss of the set coloration by allowing the nanocrystals within thechains to shift within the softened substrate in the absence of themagnetic field that organized their arrangement into photonic crystals.

Apparel Applications

As described above for footwear applications, apparel may also includecoloring stripes, ribbons, jacquard, logos, accents added to thearticle. Thus, in certain embodiments, the various methods of applyingnanocrystal chains to the materials 10 and/or the articles of wear 12,as well as the methods of tuning and fixing the color of thesenanocrystal chains described above, are also applicable to apparel,including items such as base materials, stitches, buttons, zippers,closures, etc., but may have an even larger focus on the application totextiles, weaves, knits, etc.

Equipment Applications

As described above for footwear applications, certain equipment may alsoinclude grips, logos, accents, markings, stripes, etc. added to thearticle. Thus, in certain embodiments, the various methods of applyingnanocrystal chains to the materials 10 and/or the articles of wear 12,as well as the methods of tuning and fixing the color of thesenanocrystal chains described above, are also applicable to equipment.For example, matching equipment with seasonal color trends can provideconsumers with opportunities to match items such as socks, gloves, andhats with other items, such as shoes and apparel. However, providingequipment in seasonal colors otherwise carries an inventory risk thatmay be mitigated with the ability to change colors periodically throughtuning of the nanocrystal chains. The incorporation of nanocrystalchains into equipment also provides an additional opportunity forcustomization to the individual consumer's preference. Additionally,sports such as golf may enjoy the benefit of customization withcolor-specific golf balls for each player set at the beginning of eachgame.

Business Concepts

Factory Level

At a factory level, at least one raw material 10 incorporatingnanocrystal chains may be treated with tuning devices 110 (including butnot limited to the Continuous Platform Design or the Extruder CoilDesign) to adjust the color of the raw materials prior to orsimultaneously with the formation of the article. Incorporating the useof nanocrystal chains in raw materials and tuning devices at the factorylevel allows for a significant reduction in inventory of various dyes,paints, yarns, fabrics, colored plastics, finished goods etc. Thisprocess will also reduce the timeline to market by eliminating the needto match all materials before they get delivered to the factories, thusallowing quicker response time to orders. Furthermore, fewer articlenumbers are required to track various color versions of essentially thesame article. There is also an advantage in eliminating downtime duringchange-over from one color to another.

Distribution Level

At a distribution center level, the finished articles of wear 12 (orintermediate goods) incorporating tunable nanocrystal chains may betreated with tuning devices 110 (including but not limited to the DrumDesign and the Tunnel or Solenoid Design) to adjust the color of thefinished or intermediate articles of wear 12 after manufacture, but at alarger bulk level than an individual item. Currently, largedistributions centers serve as the supply and return hub for inventorycoming from manufacturers and returns coming from distributors andconsumers. If re-coloring is achieved at the distribution centers,inventory balancing may become instantly more dynamic.

Furthermore, if color changes are performed later in the supply chain,the distribution centers may be stocked in only a single base color andreap similar inventory reduction advantages. Distribution centers couldalso accept returns of poorly selling color-ways and re-color thembefore redistributing. From season to season, some articles will onlysee changes in color and no other design changes. At the end of aseason, larger retailers may return unsold stock to be sold atliquidation prices. In this situation, the distribution center mightsimply update the returns with the new season's color and continue tosell it at the premium price that new products enjoy. This process willalso help speed inventory replenishment if a neutral article can be keptin inventory and only shipped when an account requests a specific colorthat is selling well in a particular store, channel, or region.

Alternatively, the distribution center might continue to carry stock ineach team but the jerseys might have customizable areas to later printthe name and player number or these jerseys might skip the distributioncenter altogether and be customized at retail with a customer's name orrequested player name.

Retail Level

At a retail level, the finished articles of wear 12 incorporatingtunable nanocrystal chains may be treated with tuning devices 110(including but not limited to the Batch Platform Design and FocusedMicrowave Activation) to adjust the color of the finished articles ofwear 12 in a retail environment for a particular customer. For example,the article of wear 12 may include color zones 78 containing nanocrystalchains that can be adjusted to the customer's preference in the storeprior to purchase.

Specials

Another post-production customization concept is to incorporate thenanocrystal chains in a medium, wherein the medium comprises propertiesthat allows movement of the nanocrystals within chains without the needto soften portions of the medium immediately surrounding the chains ofnanocrystals. When the medium is incorporated into an article of wear12, as a consumer passes by a magnetic field, the color displayed by thenanocrystal chains changes without warning. The color-shifting mediummay be applied to change the color of the entire article of wear 12 orperhaps just a portion, such as a color changing logo. Such an item maybe used at special events. For example, a consumer might take a shirtthat was purchased at a retail store or at the event itself and uponvisiting an event, such as the world cup or Olympics, the shirt may beembellished with a custom graphic only available at that event. It couldalso be used at events to temporarily indicate that the wearer is of ageto drink, has back-stage access, or some other special privilege.

Another interesting concept is similar to the event based concept butgeared towards awards. As an example, there might be an achievement ortrophy based system where an electronic training program user might geta special embellishment on their shirt after running a threshold numberof miles, sustaining a certain pace, or completing a milestone race. ABoston marathon finisher might have their jacket customized after therace with the word “finisher” replacing “qualifier” or emblazoned withtheir finish time.

In these embodiments, a first color may be associated with achieving afirst level for the performance parameter, a second color may beassociated with achieving a second level for the performance parameter,and so on. Thus, the user may take the article of wear 12 to a retaillocation to have the coloration altered after achieving a particularlevel for the performance parameter. In these embodiments, the articleof wear 12 may comprise one or more color zones 78 that may be alteredor the color of the entire article of wear 12 may be altered.

FIG. 22 is a simplified block diagram of a retail system 100 formanipulating the color displayed by the article of wear 12 based onachieving a particular level for the performance parameter, according tocertain embodiments of the invention. The retail system 100 comprisesthe tuning device 110, a system server 120, a network 130, and a datastorage device 150.

The system server 120 can control the hardware and software operationsof the retail system 100. According to certain embodiments, the systemserver 120 provides various data processing, networking, and managementfunctions.

In operation, the system server 120 provides a user interface 140 thatallows the user or retail store employee to input information. FIGS.23-24 illustrate exemplary embodiments of such user interfaces 140. Thesystem server 120 may also connect directly to a user's device 160. Incertain embodiments, a data storage device 150 includes a table ofcolors associated with each level for various performance parameters, aswell as information regarding the strength of the magnetic fieldrequired to achieve a particular color for the material 10 or transfermedium 20 in which the nanocrystal chains are embedded. The data storagedevice 150 may further include a table of materials that are used in thearticle of wear 12 based on a product serial number, barcode, tag, orother identifier, as well as a table of materials that may be used toform any color zones 78 within the article of wear 12. The data storagedevice 150 may also include a list of colors available for variousarticles of wear, along with locations of color zones 78 available forvarious articles of wear 12. In some embodiments, the data storagedevice 150 is located within the system server 120. The details of theretail system 100 and the user interface 140 are further discussed belowand depicted in FIGS. 22-26.

According to certain embodiments, the system server 120 may transmit theuser interface 140 to perform a variety of retail functions. Forexample, the system server 120 can retrieve user information (includinglocation, date, time, performance information, etc.) from the userthrough the user interface 140 by connecting to the user's electronictraining program (either through the network or through the user'sdevice 160). The system server 120 can also retrieve information aboutthe type of material 10 or transfer medium 20 in which the nanocrystalchains are embedded through the user interface 140 (by having the userinput the type of material 10 or transfer medium 20 directly into theuser interface 140 or by having the user input a serial number or otheridentifier for the article of wear 12) and/or via a scanner 170 in whichthe user scans a barcode, tag, or other identifier associated with thearticle of wear. In addition, in embodiments where the customer has theoption of altering the color of certain color zones within the articleof wear, the system server 120 can also retrieve information from theuser regarding the color zone(s) of the article of wear 12 to bemanipulated.

The customer's device 160 may be any device having the ability tocommunicate information. Examples of such devices 160 include but arenot limited to cell phones, smart phones, personal communication service(“PCS”) telephones, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), palmtopcomputers, laptops/notebooks, tablet computers, handheld video games,multi-media enabled devices, mobile desktop/workstation computingdevice, wireless modems, digital still/video cameras, handheld devicesthat include short range radios (such as IEEE 802.11 or Bluetooth® butdo not have cellular phones), or other similar electronic devices thatare network capable.

The system server 120 typically includes an operating system thatprovides executable program instructions for the general administrationand operation of that server, and typically includes a computer-readablemedium tangibly storing instructions that, when executed by a processorof the server, allow the server to perform its intended functions.Suitable implementations for the operating system and generalfunctionality of the servers are known or commercially available, andare readily implemented by persons having ordinary skill in the relevantart, particularly in light of the disclosure herein.

The retail system 100 in certain embodiments is a distributed computingenvironment utilizing several computer systems and components that areinterconnected via communication links, using one or more computernetworks or direct connections. However, it will be appreciated by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that such a system could operate equallywell in a system having fewer or greater number of components than areillustrated in FIG. 22. Thus, the depiction of the retail system 100 inFIG. 22 should be taken as being illustrative in nature, and notlimiting to the scope of the disclosure.

Examples of networks 130 include but are not limited to globalpositioning systems (e.g., “GPS”), cellular (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G), WLAN802.11, Bluetooth®, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), HD Radio™, Ultra-wideband(UWB), ZigBee, and 60 GHz, and other similar networks capable ofproviding the necessary display, user interface, and input capabilities,as will be described in more detail below. The device 160 cancommunicate with one or more of these networks. For example, thecommunication can be downlink from the network base-station (such assatellites, WLAN or Bluetooth® base-stations, cellular towers, etc.) tothe device 160 or vice versa.

The user interface 140 may be provided and controlled by the systemserver 120 or by the device 160. The data associated with generating,maintaining, and receiving input through the user interface 140 may begenerated and provided via computer readable media included orassociated with the device 160 and/or the system server 120. Examples ofcomputer readable media include but are not limited to hard drives,disks, flash memory devices, or other similar devices. Softwareassociated with the user interface 140 may be located on the device 160,the system server 120, or a combination thereof. For example, the userinterface 140 may be an application that is stored on the device 160,the data storage device 150, a website server, or other suitablelocation that places the device 160 in communication with the systemserver 120.

FIG. 25 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating a method 200 formanipulating a color displayed by an article of wear on a retail system100 based on performance achievements, according to certain embodimentsof the invention. The method 200 is performed by processing logic thatmay comprise hardware (circuitry, dedicated logic, etc.), software (suchas is run on a general purpose computing system or a dedicated machine),firmware (embedded software), or any combination thereof. In certainembodiments, the method 200 is performed by one or more processors inthe retail system 100 of FIG. 22. In certain embodiments, the method 200is performed by, or in conjunction with, processors located in a cloudserver.

Referring to FIG. 25, the method 200 includes the step 210, in which thesystem server 120 may retrieve information regarding achievement valuesattained by the user for certain performance parameters. As describedabove, the system server 120 may retrieve this information by connectingto the customer's electronic training program (either through thenetwork or through the customer's device 160).

At step 220, the system server 120 may retrieve the type of material 12or transfer medium 20 used to form the article of wear 12 and/or mayretrieve a serial number or other identifier for the article of wear 12.The system server 120 may retrieve this information directly through theuser interface 140 and/or via a scanner in which the customer may scan abarcode or tag associated with the article of wear 12.

As an optional step 230, the system server 120 may retrieve the locationof one or more color zones 78 within the article of wear 12 from thearticle of wear information stored in the data storage device 150.

As an optional step 240, the system server 120 may transmit the colorzone 78 locations to the user via the user interface 140.

As an optional step 250, the system server 120 may retrieve a selectionof one or more color zone 78 locations from the user where the userwould like to have the color altered.

At step 260, the system server 120 compares the achievement value(s)attained by the user to the levels of various performance parametersstored in the data storage device 150 to determine the level ofachievement.

At step 270, the system server 120 determines the color stored in thedata storage device 150 associated with the level of achievement.

At step 280, the system server 120 compares the material 10 or transfermedium 20 used to form the article of wear 12 and/or the selected colorzone 78 locations to the material and transfer medium information storedin the data storage device 150 to determine the magnetic field strengthrequired to achieve the color associated with the level of achievement.

At step 290, the system server 120 transmits to the tuning device 110,the strength of the magnetic field that should be applied to the articleof wear 12 and/or the selected color zone 78 to achieve the colorassociated with the level of achievement.

As an optional step 295, the system server 120 transmits to the tuningdevice 110, the selected color zone 78 locations for selectiveapplication of energy from the energy source.

In certain other embodiments, a user may wish to customize the articleof wear with “non-earned” colors, rather than “earned” colors based on aperformance achievement. The selection of non-earned colors may differfrom the colors associated with achievement levels, or the selection ofnon-earned colors may only be available on non-performance articles ofwear. In other embodiments, there may be substantial or complete overlapin the choices between non-earned and earned colors, where thenon-earned colors may be available for purchase, while the earned colorsare available at no additional charge.

FIG. 26 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating a method 300 formanipulating a color displayed by an article of wear on a retail system100 based on customization preferences, according to certain embodimentsof the invention. As described above with respect to the method 200, themethod 300 is performed by processing logic that may comprise hardware(circuitry, dedicated logic, etc.), software (such as is run on ageneral purpose computing system or a dedicated machine), firmware(embedded software), or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments,the method 300 is performed by one or more processors in the retailsystem 100 of FIG. 22. In certain embodiments, the method 300 isperformed by, or in conjunction with, processors located in a cloudserver.

Referring to FIG. 26, the method 300 includes the step 310, in which thesystem server 120 may retrieve information about the type of material 10or transfer medium 20 in which the nanocrystal chains are embeddedthrough the user interface 140 (by having the user input the material ortransfer medium type directly into the user interface 140 or by havingthe user input a serial number or other identifier for the article ofwear) and/or via a scanner 170 in which the user scans a barcode, tag,or other identifier associated with the article of wear.

As an optional step 320, the system server 120 may retrieve the locationof one or more color zones within the article of wear from the articleof wear information stored in the data storage device 150.

At step 330, the system server 120 may retrieve a list of availablecolors for the article of wear 12 from the article of wear informationstored in the data storage device 150.

At step 340, the system server 120 may transmit the list of availablecolors, as well as the color zone locations (if applicable), to the uservia the user interface 140.

At step 350, the system server 120 retrieves a selection of one or morecolors, as well as a selection of one or more color zone locations (ifapplicable), from the user via the user interface 140.

At step 360, the system server 120 compares material 10 or transfermedium 20 used to form the article of wear 12 and/or the selected colorzone 78 locations to the material and transfer medium information storedin the data storage device 150 to determine the magnetic field strengthrequired to achieve the color selected.

At step 370, the system server 120 transmits to the tuning device 110,the strength of the magnetic field that should be applied to the articleof wear and/or the selected color zone to achieve the color selected.

As an optional step 380, the system server 120 transmits to the tuningdevice 110, the selected color zone locations (if applicable) forselective application of energy from the energy source.

FIG. 27 is a diagram of a computer apparatus 400, according to anexample embodiment. The various participants and elements in thepreviously described system diagrams (e.g., the retail system 100 inFIGS. 22-26) may use any suitable number of subsystems in the computerapparatus 400 to facilitate the functions described herein. Examples ofsuch subsystems or components are shown in FIG. 26. The subsystems shownin FIG. 27 are interconnected via a system bus 410. Additionalsubsystems such as a printer 420, keyboard 430, fixed disk 440 (or othermemory comprising computer-readable media), monitor 450, which iscoupled to display adapter 460, and others are shown. Peripherals andinput/output (I/O) devices (not shown), which couple to I/O controller470, can be connected to the computer system by any number of meansknown in the art, such as serial port 480. For example, serial port 480or external interface 485 can be used to connect the computer apparatus400 to a wide area network such as the Internet, a mouse input device,or the scanner 170. The interconnection via system bus allows thecentral processor 490 to communicate with each subsystem and to controlthe execution of instructions from system memory 495 or the fixed disk440, as well as the exchange of information between subsystems. Thesystem memory 495 and/or the fixed disk 440 may embody acomputer-readable medium.

The software components or functions described in this application maybe implemented as software code to be executed by one or more processorsusing any suitable computer language such as, for example, Java, C++ orPerl using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. Thesoftware code may be stored as a series of instructions, or commands ona computer-readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or afloppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Any suchcomputer-readable medium may also reside on or within a singlecomputational apparatus, and may be present on or within differentcomputational apparatuses within a system or network.

The invention can be implemented in the form of control logic insoftware or hardware or a combination of both. The control logic may bestored in an information storage medium as a plurality of instructionsadapted to direct an information processing device to perform a set ofsteps disclosed in embodiments of the invention. Based on the disclosureand teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the invention.

In embodiments, any of the entities described herein may be embodied bya computer that performs any or all of the functions and stepsdisclosed.

Active Displays

Another concept is to showcase the technology with an active displayusing the products. For example, a display might be comprised of variousproducts and color changing equipment. From time to time the displaymight change color or print phrases and designs on the product whilepotential consumers watch in astonishment.

Trending

Nanocrystal materials may be used to respond to campaigns that customizea consumer's clothing based on colors selected from celebrities,athletes, or just friends, such as through polls conducted throughsocial media.

In other embodiments, CNC materials may be used to provide consumerswith a way to color-match various items of apparel, shoes, equipment,and other accessories through take-home versions of the various tuningdevices described above.

Goal/No-Goal Ball

CNC materials may be included within a ball, along with a magnetic fieldapplied across the face of the goal, so that as the ball passes throughthe magnetic field, the ball changes color to indicate whether a goalwas scored.

Multi-Use Field

In certain embodiments, CNC materials may be included within anartificial turf field in locations that match with various line markers.For example, a multi-use field may include markers for football, soccer,lacrosse, field hockey, rugby, and/or baseball, each of which may have adifferent designated color. In conventional artificial turf fields, allof the markings are permanently included for the combined sports, whichcan be confusing for spectators, who may not be as familiar with thecolor designations. In the present embodiments, the CNC materials may beincluded with the artificial grass fabrics in the locations for eachdesired marker, and a magnetic field may be incorporated into theartificial turf field in proximity to the locations for each desiredmarker. A controller may then be coupled to the magnetic fields, inwhich the controller is configured to selectively apply a magnetic fieldof a certain strength only to the locations with markers that areassociated with a particular sport. As a result, only the markers in thelocations that are associated with a particular sport will change colorto the desired marker color, while the color displayed by the CNCmaterials in the non-desired marker locations are either not manipulatedor are manipulated to display the color of the surrounding unmarkedturf.

Other Applications

Slow Particles Coloration

In some embodiments, the nanocrystal chains may be incorporated into amaterial 10 having both memory and elastic properties, such as a slowmemory foam. In these embodiments, when an external force (such as amagnetic field or a physical force) is applied to the slow memory foam(in the absence of application of an energy source), the nanocrystalsmay temporarily shift locations within chains based on the strength ofthe external force (i.e., the strength of the magnetic field and/or theamount of localized deformation to the slow memory foam caused by aphysical force) and as allowed by the elasticity of the material (andthus display a temporary color), but will then shift back into theiroriginal positions due to the memory properties of the material (andthus cause the temporary color to dissipate). However, the return of thenanocrystals to their original positions may be sufficiently slow thatthe dissipation of the temporary color created by the application of theexternal force will be visually observable by an average observer'sunaided eye. With the application of a magnetic field, the deformationto the slow memory foam is caused by the localized movement of thechains of nanocrystals induced by the strength of the magnetic field,whereas with the application of a physical force, the localizeddeformation of the slow memory foam results in the localized movement ofthe chains of nanocrystals.

The use of slow particles coloration as described above may be usefulfor training applications. For example, use of nanocrystal chains inmaterials with both memory and elastic properties may give a colorchanging effect to sports equipment, shoes, or apparel for a shortduration. The result would be a surface treatment that would changecolor on impact and then slowly return to its natural state. Thisconcept has the advantage that it utilizes the color shifting propertiesof the nanocrystal chains without the use of the tuning device 110.

As an example, a thin layer of encapsulated nanocrystal chains may beincorporated into the clubface of a golf club. Upon a player striking aball, the impact area on the clubface would change color as thenanocrystal chains are compressed and the refractive properties changed.In these embodiments, the golf ball may include a magnet that appliesthe magnetic field to the club face, or the color-changing effect mayrely strictly on the physical deformation of the club face. Themicroencapsulation polymer would be selected so that over time thenanocrystal chains would return to their original state and color butfor a brief period of time would give the player an indication of thelocation and intensity of the strike. This same approach could beapplied to the surface of the golf ball to indicate where it was struck(i.e. above or below the equator). Similar to the golf concept, thistechnique would be useful on other sporting equipment such as soccer(balls, shoes, and shin guards), baseball (bats, balls, bases, etc.),hockey (Sticks, pads, goals), football (balls, pads, helmets, etc.) andso on.

In additional embodiments, the color changing embodiments for a shortduration may be applicable to paintball. Players wearing protective gearcoated in this manner would not need to shoot paint balls but wouldinstead shoot softer rubber bullets. This has the advantage that thebullets would be reusable and it would reduce the cost and environmentalimpact of the sport. In this application the encapsulating polymer isoptimized for a much longer duration or even semi-permanent effect sothat at the end of the match the equipment would then need to be exposedto a tuning device to restore it to its pre-match state.

Similar to the concept above, utilizing one or more stretch membranesincorporated into an article of wear 12, wherein the stretch membraneschange color when stretched may provide a faster color shift but isstill based on nanocrystal spacing within chains effected by mechanicalforces. In certain embodiments, the technology may be included withcertain apparel items so that as the membranes stretch, they changecolor and then revert back to their natural (or pre-set) color whenrelaxed. This would give a very dynamic effect and could be tuned togive some indication of how far the garment was stretched (i.e., theamount of force applied to the stretch membranes). When used inconjunction with a material with known elastic properties, one could usea color coding chart to adjust the amount of pressure applied to acertain body segment (e.g., when applying medical stretch tape (used inrehabilitation and injury prevention) such that it does not exceed apredetermined safe pressure limit.

This visual indicator may also be used to indicate how well a garmentfits. Because of the dynamic nature of the concept, an athlete may befilmed in motion while wearing the apparel and studied to see how farthe bands stretched during dynamic motions. This may indicate that agarment is too restrictive or too loose in certain areas and thisinformation could then be used to custom tailor an article.

Another concept is to use the membranes to give fans a better indicationof how fast an athlete is moving. For example, soccer player arebeginning to wear jerseys with stretch membranes during games. Membranesincorporating this technology may give spectators and coaches a visualindication if a player is just lightly jogging (where there might beminimal color change) or if the player is in an all-out sprint for theball (where the color change could be very dramatic based on the greaterextension of the limbs).

In certain electronic training programs, colored zones are currentlyused to describe effort. For example, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.8,200,323, FIG. 8, at a slow jog, a runner's heart rate or pace isdescribed as being in the blue zone, a stronger effort in the green zoneup to the aerobic threshold, then the yellow zone in the anaerobic zone,and lastly red, which represents maximum effort. Ideally, there might beapparel, footwear, and accessory products that mimic this color changescheme so that as a runner is increasing effort, some or all of thearticles of wear change color to mimic the color zones and also toindicate to other runners the rapidity of their pace.

The effect of this technology is not limited to light in the visiblespectrum. As a result, in some embodiments, the bistable mediumcontaining nanocrystal chains may be used in applications to enhance thethermal control of garments and footwear. The concept is take advantageof selective filtering of UV and IR radiation. This has the additionaladvantage in that it is tunable and reversible.

In certain embodiments, chains of nanocrystals are incorporated inselective areas of garments such as the shoulders, chest, and back areaof shirts that have the most exposure to sunlight, as described in U.S.Publication No. 2011-0099680. Some areas such as the shoulders might betuned to reflect UV light in order to prevent sunburn and overheating.In other examples, a shirt designed for winter use might still havesimilar reflectivity in the shoulder are while absorbing IR light in thechest and back to enhance warming on sunny by cool winter days.

Another advantage of this concept is that it is reversible so that agarment optimized for winter use, might be transformed and enhanced forsummer use at the end of the season. This might be especially useful inrain jackets and shoes which are often used year round. This outcome maybe achieved through re-spacing of the nanocrystals within chains to makethem more (or less) permeable to a certain wavelength. For example, inthe summer, the chains of nanocrystals may be spaced to be far IRpermeable and near IR and visible reflective for cooling purposes. Inthe winter, the chains of nanocrystals may be spaced for far IRreflective and near IR and visible absorbent for heating purposes.

Sweat Triggered Coloring

Another interesting concept is to have the nanocrystal chainsencapsulated in a hydrophilic elastomer that would stretch the chains ofnanocrystals when in the presence of water. For example, as described inU.S. Publication No. 2011-0099680, as a wearer sweats or generatessteam, the garment could change color. In addition to this benefit, thesweat triggering could shift the chains of nanocrystals from passive toIR blocking so that as the wearer warms up, the chains of nanocrystalsstart to block further heat absorption.

In the following, further examples are described to facilitate theunderstanding of the invention:

1. An article of wear comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystalsarranged within chains, wherein the chains of nanocrystals display acolor that is determined by a strength of a magnetic field applied tothe chains of nanocrystals, wherein the color is maintained when themagnetic field is removed.

2. The article of wear of example 1, wherein the chains of nanocrystalsare embedded within a material used to form the article of wear or atransfer medium used to transfer the color to the article of wear.

3. The article of wear of example 2, wherein the material is a film,laminate, yarn, thread, fabric, leather, plastic, or foam.

4. The article of wear of example 2, wherein the transfer medium is apaint, dye, ink, film, gel, silicon, or powder.

5. The article of wear of example 2, wherein the magnetic field is notapplied to the chains of nanocrystals until after the article of wear ismanufactured.

6. The article of wear of example 5, wherein an energy source is appliedto the chains of nanocrystals to soften the material or the transfermedium immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to whichenergy is applied when the magnetic field is applied to adjust the colordisplayed by the chains of nanocrystals.

7. The article of wear of example 6, wherein the material or thetransfer medium immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals towhich the energy is applied hardens prior to removal of the magneticfield so that the color displayed by the chains of nanocrystals ismaintained.

8. The article of wear of example 1, wherein the article of wear is ashoe or apparel.

9. An article of wear formed of at least one material comprising ironoxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains, wherein the chainsof nanocrystals display a color that is determined by a strength of amagnetic field applied to the chains of nanocrystals, wherein the coloris maintained when the magnetic field is removed.

10. The article of wear of example 9, wherein the at least one materialis a film, laminate, yarn, thread, fabric, leather, plastic, or foam.

11. The article of wear of example 9, wherein the magnetic field is notapplied to the chains of nanocrystals until after the article of wear ismanufactured.

12. The article of wear of example 11, wherein an energy source isapplied to the chains of nanocrystals to soften the at least onematerial immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to whichenergy is applied when the magnetic field is applied to adjust the colordisplayed by the chains.

13. The article of wear of example 12, wherein the at least one materialimmediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energyis applied hardens prior to removal of the magnetic field so that thecolor displayed by the chains of nanocrystals is maintained.

14. The article of wear of example 9, wherein the article of wear is ashoe or apparel.

15. An article of wear comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystalsarranged within chains, wherein the chains of nanocrystals display acolor that is determined by a spacing between the nanocrystals withineach chain, wherein the spacing is adjustable through application ofenergy and a magnetic field.

16. The article of wear of example 15, wherein the chains ofnanocrystals are embedded within a material used to form the article ofwear or a transfer medium used to transfer the color to the article ofwear.

17. The article of wear of example 16, wherein the material is a film,laminate, yarn, thread, fabric, leather, plastic, or foam.

18. The article of wear of example 16, wherein the transfer medium is apaint, dye, ink, film, gel, silicon, or powder.

19. The article of wear of example 16, wherein the magnetic field is notapplied to the chains of nanocrystals until after the article of wear ismanufactured.

20. The article of wear of example 19, wherein energy is applied to thechains of nanocrystals to soften the material or the transfer mediumimmediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energyis applied when the magnetic field is applied to adjust the colordisplayed by the chains of nanocrystals.

21. The article of wear of example 20, wherein the material or thetransfer medium immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals towhich the energy is applied hardens prior to removal of the magneticfield so that the color displayed by the chains of nanocrystals ismaintained.

22. The article of wear of example 15, wherein the article of wear is ashoe or apparel.

23. An apparatus for manipulating a color displayed by an article ofwear comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged withinchains, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a magnetic field source, wherein a strength of a magnetic fieldgenerated by the magnetic field source is tunable to control the colordisplayed by the article of wear; and

(b) an energy source, wherein energy generated by the energy source isapplied to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals to softenmaterials within the article of wear immediately surrounding the chainsof nanocrystals to which the energy is applied.

24. The apparatus of example 23, wherein the energy source is removedwhile the magnetic field is still applied to the article of wear toallow the materials within the article of wear immediately surroundingthe chains of nanocrystals to harden and fix a location of thenanocrystals within the chains.

25. The apparatus of example 23, wherein the magnetic field sourcecomprises a set of coils arranged proximate a platform so that themagnetic field is concentrated and oriented substantially perpendicularto the platform.

26. The apparatus of example 23, wherein the magnetic field sourcecomprises a set of coils arranged proximate a metal last so that themagnetic field is concentrated and oriented substantially uniform over asurface of the metal last.

27. The apparatus of example 26, wherein the metal last is a magneticcoil.

28. The apparatus of example 23, wherein the energy source comprises aconvection heat source.

29. The apparatus of example 23, wherein the energy source comprises alaser.

30. The apparatus of example 23, wherein the magnetic field isincorporated into a drum of an industrial dryer, and the energy sourceis heat provided by the industrial dryer.

31. The apparatus of example 23, wherein the article of wear comprises afirst layer comprising the chains of nanocrystals and at least oneadditional layer that does not comprise the chains of nanocrystals,wherein the energy source is a 95 GHz radiation beam that is configuredto penetrate the first layer without penetrating the at least oneadditional layer.

32. The apparatus of example 23, wherein the magnetic field source actsas both the energy source by generating a rapidly fluctuating magneticfield, which creates transient currents in the chains of nanocrystals,and the magnetic field source by switching to a constant magnetic fieldonce the materials within the article of wear immediately surroundingthe chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied are softened.

33. An apparatus for manipulating a color displayed by an article ofwear comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged withinchains, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a platform comprising a substantially flat surface having a gaptherein, wherein the platform is configured so that at least a portionof the article of wear is positioned adjacent the surface of theplatform and the gap therein;

(b) a magnetic field source configured to generate a magnetic field,wherein at least a portion of the magnetic field passes through the gapand is oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of theplatform and the portion of the article of wear positioned proximate thegap, wherein a strength of the magnetic field is tunable to control thecolor displayed by the portion of the article of wear positionedproximate the gap; and

(c) an energy source configured to generate energy directed into thegap, wherein the energy directed into the gap is configured to beapplied to the chains of nanocrystals within the portion of the articleof wear positioned proximate the gap to soften materials within thearticle of wear immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals towhich the energy is applied.

34. The apparatus of example 33, wherein the energy source is removedwhile the magnetic field is still applied to the article of wear toallow the materials within the article of wear immediately surroundingthe chains of nanocrystals to harden and fix a location of thenanocrystals within the chains.

35. The apparatus of example 33, wherein the article of wear comprises aroll of textile that is unrolled proximate a first end of the platform,positioned adjacent the surface of the platform and the gap therein, andre-rolled proximate a second end of the platform.

36. The apparatus of example 33, wherein the gap is approximately 0.5inches in width and approximately 8.5 inches in length.

37. The apparatus of example 33, wherein the article of wear comprises afirst layer comprising the chains of nanocrystals and at least oneadditional layer that does not comprise the chains of nanocrystals,wherein the energy source is a 95 GHz radiation beam that is configuredto penetrate the first layer without penetrating the at least oneadditional layer.

38. The apparatus of example 33, wherein the energy source comprises alaser.

39. The apparatus of example 33, wherein the energy source comprises afocused UV lamp.

40. The apparatus of example 33, wherein the magnetic field source actsas both the energy source by generating a rapidly fluctuating magneticfield, which creates transient currents in the chains of nanocrystals,and the magnetic field source by switching to a constant magnetic fieldonce the materials within the article of wear immediately surroundingthe chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied are softened.

41. An apparatus for manipulating a color displayed by an article ofwear comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged withinchains, the apparatus comprising:

(a) an activation tunnel comprising a central opening, wherein thecentral opening is configured so that the article of wear is locatedwithin the activation tunnel;

(b) a magnetic field source comprising a plurality of solenoidssubstantially surrounding the activation tunnel and configured togenerate a magnetic field within the central opening of the activationtunnel, wherein a strength of the magnetic field is tunable to controlthe color displayed by the portion of the article of wear positionedwithin the activation tunnel; and

(c) an energy source configured to generate energy directed into thecentral opening of the activation tunnel, wherein the energy directedinto the central opening of the activation tunnel is configured to beapplied to the chains of nanocrystals within the article of wear tosoften materials within the article of wear immediately surrounding thechains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied.

42. The apparatus of example 41, wherein the energy source is removedwhile the magnetic field is still applied to the article of wear toallow the materials within the article of wear immediately surroundingthe chains of nanocrystals to harden and fix a location of thenanocrystals within the chains.

43. The apparatus of example 41, wherein the article of wear comprises afirst layer comprising the chains of nanocrystals and at least oneadditional layer that does not comprise the chains of nanocrystals,wherein the energy source is a 95 GHz radiation beam that is configuredto penetrate the first layer without penetrating the at least oneadditional layer.

44. A method of manipulating a color displayed by an article of wearcomprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains, themethod comprising:

(a) forming the article of wear from at least one raw material, whereinthe at least one raw material comprises the chains of nanocrystals;

(b) applying a magnetic field to the at least one raw material;

(c) applying energy to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals tosoften materials within the at least one raw material immediatelysurrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied;

(d) adjusting a strength of the magnetic field to control the colordisplayed by the at least one raw material;

(e) removing the energy to allow the materials within the at least oneraw material immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals toharden and fix a location of the nanocrystals within the chains; and

(f) removing the magnetic field.

45. The method of example 44, wherein the energy and the magnetic fieldare applied to the at least one raw material during formation of thearticle of wear.

46. The method of example 44, wherein the energy and the magnetic fieldare applied to the at least one raw material prior to formation of thearticle of wear.

47. The method of example 44, further comprising:

unrolling the at least one raw material proximate a first end of aplatform, wherein the platform comprises a substantially flat surfaceand a gap therein;

positioning an unrolled portion of the at least one raw materialadjacent the surface of the platform and the gap therein;

re-rolling the at least one raw material proximate a second end of theplatform.

48. The method of example 47, wherein the energy and the magnetic fieldare applied to a portion of the at least one raw material positionedproximate the gap.

49. The method of example 44, wherein the at least one raw materialcomprises a yarn or thread, and the method further comprises applyingthe energy and the magnetic field to the at least one raw material asthe at least one raw material is being fed into a weaving loom orknitting machine.

50. A method of manipulating a color displayed by a plurality ofarticles of wear, each article of wear comprising iron oxide colloidalnanocrystals arranged within chains, the method comprising:

(a) applying a magnetic field to the plurality of articles of wear;

(b) applying energy to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals tosoften materials within the plurality of articles of wear immediatelysurrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied;

(c) adjusting a strength of the magnetic field to control the colordisplayed by the plurality of articles of wear;

(d) removing the energy to allow the materials within the plurality ofarticles of wear immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals toharden and fix a location of the nanocrystals within the chains; and

(e) removing the magnetic field.

51. The method of example 50, further comprising:

inserting the plurality of articles of wear within a central opening ofan activation tunnel;

applying the magnetic field via a plurality of solenoids substantiallysurrounding the activation tunnel.

52. The method of example 50, further comprising inserting the pluralityof articles of wear within a drum of an industrial dryer.

53. A method of manipulating a color displayed by an article of wearcomprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains, themethod comprising:

(a) applying a magnetic field to the article of wear;

(b) applying energy to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals tosoften materials within the article of wear immediately surrounding thechains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied;

(c) adjusting a strength of the magnetic field to control the colordisplayed by the article of wear;

(d) removing the energy to allow the materials within the article ofwear immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to harden andfix a location of the nanocrystals within the chains; and

(e) removing the magnetic field.

54. The method of example 53, further comprising:

placing the article of wear on a platform, wherein the magnetic field isconcentrated and oriented perpendicular to the platform; and

applying the energy via a laser controlled by a numerical controldevice.

55. The method of example 53, further comprising placing the article ofwear on a metal shoe last, wherein the magnetic field is concentratedand oriented perpendicular to a surface of the metal shoe last.

56. The method of example 53, wherein the article of wear comprises afirst layer comprising the chains of nanocrystals and at least oneadditional layer that does not comprise the chains of nanocrystals,further comprising applying the energy via a 95 GHz radiation beam thatpenetrates the first layer without penetrating the at least oneadditional layer.

57. A method of manipulating a color displayed by an article of wearcomprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chainsembedded within a material or a transfer medium based on performanceachievements, the method comprising:

retrieving an achievement value of a performance parameter;

retrieving the material or transfer medium information;

determining a level of achievement based on the achievement value;

determining a color associated with the level of achievement;

determining a magnetic field strength required to achieve the colorassociated with the level of achievement within the material or thetransfer medium; and

transmitting the magnetic field strength to a tuning device.

58. The method of example 57, further comprising:

retrieving a location of one or more color zones within the article ofwear;

transmitting the location of one or more color zones to a userinterface;

retrieving a selection of one or more color zone locations; and

transmitting the selection of one or more color zone locations to thetuning device for selective application of energy from an energy source.

59. A retail system for manipulating a color displayed by an article ofwear comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chainsembedded within a material or a transfer medium based on performanceachievements, the retail system comprising:

a tuning device comprising:

-   -   a magnetic field source, wherein a strength of a magnetic field        generated by the magnetic field source is tunable to control the        color displayed by the article of wear; and    -   an energy source, wherein energy generated by the energy source        is applied to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals to        soften the material or transfer medium immediately surrounding        the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied;

one or more processors in communication with the tuning device; and

memory including instructions that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to:

retrieve an achievement value of a performance parameter;

retrieve the material or transfer medium information;

determine a level of achievement based on the achievement value;

determine a color associated with the level of achievement;

-   -   determine a magnetic field strength required to achieve the        color associated with the level of achievement within the        material or the transfer medium; and        transmit the magnetic field strength to the tuning device.

60. The retail system of example 59, wherein the memory further includesinstructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to:

-   -   retrieve a location of one or more color zones within the        article of wear;    -   transmit the location of one or more color zones to a user        interface;    -   retrieve a selection of one or more color zone locations; and    -   transmit the selection of one or more color zone locations to        the tuning device for selective application of energy from the        energy source.

61. A method of manipulating a color displayed by an article of wearcomprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chainsembedded within a material or a transfer medium based customizationpreferences, the method comprising:

retrieving the material or transfer medium information;

retrieving a list of available colors;

transmitting the list of available colors to a user interface;

retrieving a selection of one or more colors;

determining a magnetic field strength required to achieve the selectionof one or more colors within the material or the transfer medium; and

transmitting the magnetic field strength to a tuning device.

62. The method of example 61, further comprising:

retrieving a location of one or more color zones within the article ofwear;

transmitting the location of one or more color zones to the userinterface;

retrieving a selection of one or more color zone locations; and

transmitting the selection of one or more color zone locations to thetuning device for selective application of energy from an energy source.

63. A retail system for manipulating a color displayed by an article ofwear comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chainsembedded within a material or a transfer medium based on performanceachievements, the retail system comprising:

a tuning device comprising:

-   -   a magnetic field source, wherein a strength of a magnetic field        generated by the magnetic field source is tunable to control the        color displayed by the article of wear; and    -   an energy source, wherein energy generated by the energy source        is applied to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals to        soften the material or transfer medium immediately surrounding        the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied;

one or more processors in communication with the tuning device; and

memory including instructions that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to:

retrieve the material or transfer medium information;

retrieve a list of available colors;

transmit the list of available colors to a user interface;

retrieve a selection of one or more colors;

-   -   determine a magnetic field strength required to achieve the        selection of one or more colors within the material or the        transfer medium; and        transmit the magnetic field strength to the tuning device.

64. The retail system of example 63, wherein the memory further includesinstructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to:

-   -   retrieve a location of one or more color zones within the        article of wear;    -   transmit the location of one or more color zones to the user        interface;    -   retrieve a selection of one or more color zone locations; and    -   transmit the selection of one or more color zone locations to        the tuning device for selective application of energy from the        energy source.

65. An article comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arrangedwithin chains,

wherein the chains of nanocrystals are embedded within a material usedto form the article or a transfer medium used to transfer a color to thearticle,

wherein the material or transfer medium comprises elastic propertiesthat allow the nanocrystals to display a temporary color determined bythe strength of an external force applied to the article, and thematerial or transfer medium comprises memory properties that cause thedisplayed temporary color to dissipate when the external force isremoved,

wherein the dissipation of the displayed temporary color is sufficientlyslow as to be visually observable by an average observer's unaided eye.

66. The article of example 65, wherein the external force is applicationof a magnetic field to the chains of nanocrystals.

67. The article of example 65, wherein the external force is a physicalforce applied to the material or transfer medium, which cause alocalized deformation of the material or transfer medium.

68. The article of example 65, wherein the article is a club face of agolf club.

69. The article of example 65, wherein the article is one or morestretch membranes incorporated into an article of wear.

70. The article of example 69, wherein the color displayed by the one ormore stretch membranes corresponds to an amount of force applied to theone or more stretch membranes.

71. A method of manipulating a color displayed by a transfer medium orsubstrate comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged withinchains, wherein each chain of nanocrystals is encapsulated, the methodcomprising:

(a) applying a magnetic field to the transfer medium or substrate tocontrol the color displayed by the transfer medium or substrate; and

(b) applying energy to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals at alevel that destroys the encapsulation surrounding the chains ofnanocrystals to which the energy is applied.

72. The method of example 71, further comprising applying the energy toat least some of the chains of nanocrystals to soften the transfermedium or substrate immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystalsto which the energy is applied prior to applying the energy to at leastsome of the chains of nanocrystals at the level that destroys theencapsulation surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energyis applied.

73. The method of example 71, wherein the color displayed by thetransfer medium or substrate is manipulated prior to application to anarticle of wear.

74. The method of example 71, wherein the color displayed by thetransfer medium or substrate is manipulated after application to anarticle of wear.

75. A method of manipulating a color displayed by an article of wearcomprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains,wherein each chain of nanocrystals is encapsulated, the methodcomprising:

(a) forming the article of wear from at least one raw material, whereinthe at least one raw material comprises the chains of nanocrystals;

(b) applying a magnetic field to the at least one raw material;

(c) applying energy to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals tosoften materials within the at least one raw material immediatelysurrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied;

(d) adjusting a strength of the magnetic field to control the colordisplayed by the at least one raw material;

(e) applying additional energy to at least some of the chains ofnanocrystals at a level that destroys the encapsulation surrounding thechains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied.

76. The method of example 75, wherein the color displayed by the atleast one raw material is manipulated prior to forming the article ofwear.

77. The method of example 75, wherein the color displayed by thetransfer medium or substrate is manipulated while forming the article ofwear.

78. The method of example 75, wherein the color displayed by thetransfer medium or substrate is manipulated after forming the article ofwear.

79. The method of example 75, further comprising:

unrolling the at least one raw material proximate a first end of aplatform, wherein the platform comprises a substantially flat surfaceand a gap therein;

positioning an unrolled portion of the at least one raw materialadjacent the surface of the platform and the gap therein;

re-rolling the at least one raw material proximate a second end of theplatform.

80. The method of example 79, wherein the energy and the magnetic fieldare applied to a portion of the at least one raw material positionedproximate the gap.

81. The method of example 75, wherein the at least one raw materialcomprises a yarn or thread, and the method further comprises applyingthe energy and the magnetic field to the at least one raw material asthe at least one raw material is being fed into a weaving loom orknitting machine.

82. A method of manipulating a color displayed by a plurality ofarticles of wear, each article of wear comprising iron oxide colloidalnanocrystals arranged within chains, wherein each chain of nanocrystalsis encapsulated, the method comprising:

(a) applying a magnetic field to the plurality of articles of wear;

(b) applying energy to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals tosoften materials within the plurality of articles of wear immediatelysurrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied;

(c) adjusting a strength of the magnetic field to control the colordisplayed by the plurality of articles of wear; and

(d) applying additional energy to at least some of the chains ofnanocrystals at a level that destroys the encapsulation surrounding thechains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied.

83. The method of example 82, further comprising:

inserting the plurality of articles of wear within a central opening ofan activation tunnel;

applying the magnetic field via a plurality of solenoids substantiallysurrounding the activation tunnel.

84. The method of example 82, further comprising inserting the pluralityof articles of wear within a drum of an industrial dryer.

85. A method of manipulating a color displayed by an article of wearcomprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains,wherein each chain of nanocrystals is encapsulated, the methodcomprising:

(a) applying a magnetic field to the article of wear;

(b) applying energy to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals tosoften materials within the article of wear immediately surrounding thechains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied;

(c) adjusting a strength of the magnetic field to control the colordisplayed by the article of wear;

(d) applying additional energy to at least some of the chains ofnanocrystals at a level that destroys the encapsulation surrounding thechains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied.

86. The method of example 85, further comprising:

placing the article of wear on a platform, wherein the magnetic field isconcentrated and oriented perpendicular to the platform; and

applying the energy via a laser controlled by a numerical controldevice.

87. The method of example 85, further comprising placing the article ofwear on a metal shoe last, wherein the magnetic field is concentratedand oriented perpendicular to a surface of the metal shoe last.

88. The method of example 85, wherein the article of wear comprises afirst layer comprising the chains of nanocrystals and at least oneadditional layer that does not comprise the chains of nanocrystals,further comprising applying the energy via a 95 GHz radiation beam thatpenetrates the first layer without penetrating the at least oneadditional layer.

Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings ordescribed above, as well as components and steps not shown or describedare possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are usefuland may be employed without reference to other features andsub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described forillustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodimentswill become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the presentinvention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depictedin the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims below.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method of manipulating a color displayedby a transfer medium or substrate comprising iron oxide colloidalnanocrystals arranged within chains, wherein each chain of nanocrystalsis encapsulated, the method comprising: (a) applying a magnetic field tothe transfer medium or substrate to control the color displayed by thetransfer medium or substrate; (b) applying energy to at least some ofthe chains of nanocrystals at a level that destroys the encapsulationsurrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is appliedsuch that the nanocrystals are unable to adjust position within thechains of nanocrystals and within the transfer medium or substrate whenthe magnetic field is applied; and (c) applying the transfer medium orsubstrate to a material or article of wear to transfer the color to thematerial or article of wear.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising applying the energy to at least some of the chains ofnanocrystals to soften the transfer medium or substrate immediatelysurrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is appliedprior to applying the energy to at least some of the chains ofnanocrystals at the level that destroys the encapsulation surroundingthe chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied.
 3. The methodof claim 2, wherein the transfer medium or substrate is applied to thematerial or article of wear to transfer the color to the material orarticle of wear prior to applying the energy to at least some of thechains of nanocrystals at a level that destroys the encapsulationsurrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfer medium or substrate isapplied to the material or article of wear by silk screening, painting,powder coating, submersion, injection, or sublimation.
 5. A method ofmanipulating a color displayed by a raw material comprising iron oxidecolloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains, wherein each chain ofnanocrystals is encapsulated, the method comprising: (a) applying amagnetic field to the raw material; (b) applying energy to at least someof the chains of nanocrystals to soften materials within the rawmaterial immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which theenergy is applied; (c) adjusting a strength of the magnetic field tocontrol the color displayed by the raw material; (d) applying additionalenergy to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals at a level thatdestroys the encapsulation surrounding the chains of nanocrystals towhich the energy is applied such that the nanocrystals are unable toadjust position within the chains of nanocrystals and within the rawmaterial when the magnetic field is applied; and (e) forming an articleof wear from the raw material, wherein the raw material is manipulatedprior to forming the article of wear.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising: unrolling the raw material proximate a first end of aplatform, wherein the platform comprises a substantially flat surfaceand a gap therein; positioning an unrolled portion of the raw materialadjacent the surface of the platform and the gap therein; and re-rollingthe raw material proximate a second end of the platform.
 7. The methodof claim 6, wherein the energy and the magnetic field are applied to aportion of the raw material positioned proximate the gap.
 8. The methodof claim 5, wherein the raw material comprises a yarn or thread, and themethod further comprises applying the energy and the magnetic field tothe raw material as the raw material is being fed into a weaving loom orknitting machine.
 9. The method of claim 5, further comprising: placingthe raw material on a platform, wherein the magnetic field isconcentrated and oriented perpendicular to the platform; and applyingthe energy via a laser controlled by a numerical control device.
 10. Amethod of manipulating a color displayed by a transfer medium orsubstrate comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged withinchains, wherein each chain of nanocrystals is encapsulated, the methodcomprising: (a) applying a magnetic field to the transfer medium orsubstrate; (b) applying energy to at least some of the chains ofnanocrystals to soften materials within the transfer medium or substrateimmediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energyis applied; (c) adjusting a strength of the magnetic field to controlthe color displayed by the transfer medium or substrate; (d) applyingadditional energy to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals at alevel that destroys the encapsulation surrounding the chains ofnanocrystals to which the energy is applied such that the nanocrystalsare unable to adjust position within the chains of nanocrystals andwithin the transfer medium or substrate when the magnetic field isapplied; and (e) applying the transfer medium or substrate to a materialor article of wear to transfer the color to the material or article ofwear.